Jay Bruce's homer lone run as Marlins fall to Reds
MIAMI (AP) -- Casey McGehee rejoined the Miami Marlins on Friday and gave their feeble offense a boost off the bench.
Even so, they couldn't score. The Marlins struck out 13 times, managed only four hits and lost to the Cincinnati Reds 1-0.
McGehee, signed earlier in the day, hit a two-out pinch-hit double in the eighth inning. But Mike Leake struck out Dee Gordon to end the threat.
McGehee was the NL comeback player of the year with Miami in 2014. He rejoined the Marlins after being designated for assignment by the Giants on June 30.
"It's great to see Casey back," manager Dan Jennings said. "We've always respected who he is, and certainly what he brings inside that clubhouse."
The Marlins are desperate for more punch. They've struggled to score without injured slugger Giancarlo Stanton, totaling 12 runs in their past seven games.
Leake (6-5) struck out 10 while allowing three hits and one walk in eight innings. All-Star Dee Gordon, who leads the majors with 119 hits, struck out a season-high three times against the right-hander, each time on three pitches.
"I guess he just doesn't see my pitches too well," Leake said.
Ditto the rest of the Marlins. Jay Bruce's homer leading off the second inning accounted for the lone run.
"Vintage Mike Leake," Bruce said. "To cash in on his performance was something we wanted to do. He pitched great."
Leake, who threw 102 pitches, improved to 5-1 in six career starts against the Marlins with an ERA of 1.33.
"We're going to have to figure out Mr. Leake so we'll be able to get him next time," Gordon said. "He definitely pitched a great game."
All-Star Aroldis Chapman gave up a single to Adeiny Hechavarria on a 103-mph fastball in the ninth but struck out the side to earn his 18th save in 19 chances.
Bruce's 13th homer was the only run allowed by David Phelps (4-5), who pitched six innings.
"That was a tremendous pitchers' duel," Jennings said. "Phelps threw the ball outstanding. Unfortunately, Leake maxed him and had an outstanding cutter going. He's tough to square up. The kid's a tremendous athlete."
The Marlins went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. Justin Bour and Michael Morse each had three of the Marlins' 13 strikeouts.
Miami and Cincinnati have combined to score three runs while splitting the first two games of the series.
REMEMBERING STABLER
Jennings was a friend of former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, who died Wednesday. They were from the same part of Alabama, and Jennings became a Raiders fan because of the fun-loving Stabler.
"He opened a country and western bar in Mobile about the time I turned 21," Jennings said. "I have some fond memories of that thanks to the Snake. My wife didn't know that side of me, or I wouldn't be married."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Former Reds RHP Mat Latos was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday for Miami after he bruised his right foot in the dugout during Thursday's game. Latos had his foot against the net in front of the dugout and was hit by a teammate's foul ball.
UP NEXT
RHP Raisel Iglesias (1-1, 5.11) will come off the disabled list to make a spot start Saturday for Cincinnati against LHP Adam Conley, who will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to make his first major league start in place of Latos.
To make room for Conley, infielder-outfielder Jordany Valdespin was designated for assignment.
